I would first like to say that I got bitten by the wristwatch bug only recently. Although, I've only been collecting the affordable and commonly sighted brands in malls and shops. I was browsing one day for a watch through Amazon and weird, new brand names came up. This led to trails of discovery (commonly called "links") and it moved on from Amazon and into the deep deep space of the internet. Before I know it I've got a Bookmark list of brands that I wish I had more money to buy them.
One of which poked my eye one fine evening of reading up forum sites. Magrette (pronounced Mah-Gre-Tee) had a range of watch called Moana Pacific Professional (rather long sounding name). Doing a little rummaging of 'Magrette watch review' on Google, I felt 'connected' to the watch design, motif, brand and idea from Mr Dion (founder of Magrette). I fancied the Regattare range but wasn't available (at least until June 2014) when my credit card was.
Which leads me to what we have here on review; a Moana Pacific Professional in rose gold (other being Black PVD and Stainless steel which is out of stock till December 2013). The product shots on their website, to me, is excellent. White background and in-your-face sharp-as-hell resolution. Quite the rare website styling for boutique watch brands around.
Much of its assembly features are similar to a lot of other 'dive watch' themes out there (Helium Escape Valve, 500M Water Resistance, 9015 Miyota movement, Super Luminova C3 lume, Sapphire crystal w/AR, limited edition run). I suppose they all have the same suppliers.
BUT somehow at USD630.00 (shipped to door), the package offered was well made, good value, reasonable and affordable. So I took the chance and whipped out my card. Keyed in all digits online. Received an email from Dion (the man) the next morning that NZ Post will be collecting the watch. 6 days passed, and it landed on my door step in Subang Jaya in one piece.
Unboxing this watch wasn't "fireworks spectacular", it was more "hmmm….". Honestly, I like the packaging; simple, straightforward and very much an eco-styled concept. I paid for a watch, not a box. After tearing away at the plastic layers of protection, I had a hard time understanding the clicks of the deployment buckle. At least a good 5 minutes of fiddling. Finally, an 'A-Ha' moment and all is well.
Rose gold material is like subtle gold, not shiny bling gold. Which looks good and quite matching a watch this heft and size. Only wish the leather was cowboy brown than plain black (they have a black with red stitching and backing but its an additional cost). Felt this works better to the rose gold look and exclusivity (since only 500 for rose gold, but 750 each for black pvd and stainless steel).
Bezel and crown both turn and snatch into its locks very solidly. The Miyota 9015 'sweeps' smoothly and this is a great movement choice by Mr Dion.
I'm still puzzled as to why a sapphire crystal is 'double domed'. And an AR (Anti Reflective) coating which can still see my reflection very well. Sorry about this as I'm still new and only recently understood many of these watch features.
The dial is a little 'noisy' and 'busy' because the wordings '10min', '30min' and '35min' distract from the clean legible numerals. Without these, I think, makes the dial more elegant. The 'WR 500M' in red doesn't overpower the grey matte background. Nice position for the little 'find-me-if-you-can' description.
No chance to try on the leather strap yet. Want to soak in the already fitted rubber piece, with MAGRETTE branding on either sides. Deployment buckles are custom made and fits really cohesively with the watch, from either angle you look at it. May get a brown leather (with stitching) and keep these original straps from use.
I'm 6' and have a (almost) 6.5" wrist, so the 44mm case is between just nice and a bit large. Which I like very much. Couldn't hear much 'ticking' noise of the 9015, probably because its a 500M water resistance. My other 50M and 100M pieces can hear the 'tick tock' quite clearly.
Not to happy with the finishing on the bezel though. There is a circular stain that can't seem to be cleaned away, and am awaiting reply from Dion about this.
Overall the finishing of the polished lugs and brushed case is really good. And am really impressed with the purchase.
Just a little nitpicking left. Minor stuff, non-irritant.
Rubber straps doesn't have vanilla scent, so it 'smelled' inexpensive.
No tools in the package to change straps.
No option to change a brown leather instead of black leather.
Option of colored dial or design.
Well that's a wrap to my 1st ever review of a watch I purchased online without touching. Man it felt good. Gets itchier everyday. Thanks guys for reading this not professional opinion, just from a simple minded fellow.
